Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
No. 9 Women's Water Polo to Open 2015 Season With Princeton Invitational
February 06, 2015 | Women's Water Polo
VIDEO SEASON PREVIEW
THE YEAR THAT WAS
• Princeton posted a 31-2 overall record in 2014, finishing as the runner-up at the CWPA Championship.
• Capturing a ninth Southern Championship, the Tigers' 31 wins were a program record.
• The Orange and Black opened the year with 15-consecutive victories before suffering its first setback on Mar. 15 with a 10-6 loss to San Jose State. Princeton then won 16-straight before falling to Indiana in the CWPA Championship game, 11-10.
• The Tigers' 15-0 start was the best in program history, besting the 2012 squad's 14-0 mark. The team's 16-game win streak is second only to the 2001 Tigers' streak of 20-straight wins.
• Ashleigh Johnson was one of three Princeton players to garner ACWPC honorable mention accolades, joining Katie Rigler and Molly McBee.
• The Tigers tied a program-record with four first-team All-Southern honorees, with Rigler, McBee, Johnson and Diana Murphy all garnering recognition.
LEADING THE PACK
• Seniors Jessie Holechek and Camille Hooks will serve as captains for the 2015 season.
• Holechek started 14 of 30 games last season, posting 42 goals, 27 assists, 24 steals and nine blocks.
• In 20 appearances a year ago, Hooks drew 10 ejections while collecting 17 steals, 11 assists and four goals.
STAYING BUSY
• Several Tigers spent the summer competing for their respective national teams.
• Named the Swimming World Magazine Female Water Polo Player of the Year, Ashleigh Johnson spent the summer with the United States senior women's national team.
• Helping Team USA to a goal medal at the FINA World Cup, Johnson recorded 27 saves in four matches en route to Outstanding Goalkeeper honors.
• Johnson was also named the Player of the Tournament at the Kirishi Cup after posting a 2-0-1 record and making 37 saves in 10 quarters.
• Haley Wan and Helena Van Brande traveled with Team USA to the FINA Youth World Championships, helping the Stars & Stripes to a first-ever title and an unblemished 6-0 mark.
• Pippa Temple also spent time in the pool competing for the Great Britain national team at the LEN European Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
WALLED UP
• Two-time ACWPC All-America goalie Ashleigh Johnson returns for her junior campaign.
• Last season, Johnson went 28-2 with a .704 save percentage, 43 steals and seven assists.
• During her rookie season, Johnson posted a 28-6 record with a .668 save percentage, 22 assists and 47 steals.
• Johnson's 367 saves last year are the most in program history, while her 366 stops in 2013 rank second. She is currently third all-time on the school's charts in career saves with 733.
• Johnson holds the program's single-game saves record with 20 vs. Wagner on Feb. 8, 2014.
WELCOME BACK
• The Tigers return 12 letterwinners from last year's squad, which includes: six seniors, three juniors and three sophomores.
• Debuting at No. 10 in the CWPA Preseason Poll, the Tigers are currently tied for ninth with Loyola Marymount with 58 points.
• With the graduation of Kate Rigler and Molly McBee, Ashley Hatcher returns as the team's top scorer after netting 53 goals in 2014. Hatcher also amassed 27 assists, 28 steals and 20 drawn ejections.
• Jessie Holechek returns after posting 42 goals, 27 assists and 24 steals as a junior.
• Pippa Temple had 33 goals and 21 assists a year ago, while Kimi Klein registered 22 goals and 10 steals.
• Kelly Gross, Morgan Hallock, Taylor Dunstan and Hannah Lapkin each recorded at least 16 goals last season, combining for 70 scores. Dunstan led the team with 37 helpers.
NEW FACES
• Princeton will welcome five freshmen to the mix in 2015: Sydney Cheong, Chelsea Johnson, Emily Smith, Helena Van Brande and Haley Wan.
• A three-time All-CIF selection, Cheong was the Mission League Most Valuable Player as a senior.
• Johnson was a three-time all-county performer and two-time All-America pick.
• A two-time conference Player of the Year, Smith was a two-time All-CIF honoree.
• Van Brande was an all-league goalie and two-time all-county and All-CIF selection.
• A four-time All-CIF honoree, Wan was also twice named the CIF Division II Player of the Year.
OPENING WEEKEND
• Princeton will welcome seven other programs to DeNunzio Pool for this weekend's Princeton Invitational, including: Brown, CAMO Water Polo Club, Harvard, Indiana, Iona, Princeton, Villanova and Wagner.
• The Tigers will open tournament play with an exhibition game against CAMO on Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. Princeton officially opens its regular season on Saturday, Feb. 7 against Villanova (11:30 a.m.).
• This weekend's games will be broadcast on the Ivy League Digital Network.
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Friday, Feb. 6
Princeton vs. CAMO - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Indiana vs. CAMO - 8:30 a.m.
Brown vs. Iona - 10 a.m.
Princeton vs. Villanova - 11:30 a.m.
Harvard vs. Wagner - 1 p.m.
Indiana vs. Iona - 3 p.m.
Villanova vs. CAMO - 4:30 p.m.
Brown vs. Wagner - 6:30 p.m.
Princeton vs. Harvard - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 8
Villanova vs. Harvard - 8:30 a.m.
Princeton vs. Indiana - 10 a.m.
Iona vs. Harvard - 11:30 a.m.
Wagner vs. CAMO - 1 p.m.
Indiana vs. Villanova - 2:30 p.m.
Princeton vs. Iona - 4 p.m.